CONCEPT OF A NEUTRON DOSIMETER BASED ON A RECOIL PARTICLE TRACK CHAMBER

A new experimental approach for a neutron dosemeter and spectrometer i s presented. It is based on an optically read out time projection cham ber (TPC). Charged particles entering a low-pressure sensitive volume of about one litre create ionisation electrons along their track, whic h are detected and localised using an optoelectronic detection system. This allows type, energy, and direction of neutron-induced secondarie s to be analysed. It will therefore be suited as an advanced active ne utron monitor for the measurement of dosimetric quantities and will al so supply spectrometric information. The method as well as the planned structure and its expected performance are presented. Results are rep orted that were obtained with a first experimental device which was bu ilt to study particle induced light and charge production in electron avalanches in various triethylamine-based gas mixtures.